RCMP in Banff say they are investigating a sexual assault involving a 25-year-old woman.

Mounties say the incident happened on Monday around 1:15 a.m, when the woman was approached from behind as she was walking in the 200 block of Otter Street.

“The victim was struck and knocked to the ground and then groped by the suspect,” Banff RCMP said in a news release Wednesday. “The victim fought off her assailant, who then ran away, direction of travel unknown.”

Police say no description of the suspect could be obtained, but that the male was wearing a thick black jacket and was smelling of cigarettes and liquor.

“This incident bears similarity to unsolved sexual assaults which occurred in late night hours in October 2017 and October 2018,” Mounties said.

“It has not been determined whether these crimes were committed by the same person. The RCMP encourage any victim of or witness to crime who has not notified the police to contact the Banff RCMP Detachment.”

Residents are being advised to consider walking in pairs or using transit options late at night.

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